Colo And Co Coast It

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini helped Argentina to qualify for next summer's World Cup with a 5-2 win over Paraguay

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Fabricio Coloccini played the whole game as Argentina beat Paraguay 5-2 in a World Cup qualifier in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty spot while Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez were also on target for Alejandro Sabella's side at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in AsunciÃ³n.

It was the Newcastle skipper's 37th cap for his country and the win secured Argentina's qualification for the World Cup next summer with two games to spare.

With Coloccini having forced his way back into the national team on a regular basis, he will be hoping to be part of the squad for Brazil.

He will now return to Tyneside ahead of Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Aston Villa.